It takes a lot more than an idea to build a business, but there can’t be a business without the idea.  So we asked folks who’ve built wonderful businesses to tell us about how they came up with the idea in the first place.

Jessica Leonard | Makeup Artist & Digital Creator

Interestingly enough, I don’t think it was I who came up with the idea for my business. I believe it was birthed from something that began as a creative outlet and almost therapy for myself, the artistic process of applying makeup. I don’t wear makeup daily, so it was always my special treat to myself to grab my glass of wine, turn on my music, light my candle, and get made up to present the best version of myself to my friends and family when we gathered. It has always been my belief that looking my best when I get together with loved ones is a silent show of respect for the occasion. Read more>>

Alondra Burciaga | Photographer

It all started when i took my brother’s senior pictures. I thought it would be a good and fun idea, and I took them with a phone! After i took his pictures the curiosity grew in me. I was going to community college at the time and they offered photography classes. I had mentioned it to my friend how it would be something worth looking into although I hesitated a bit because it was something totally out of my comfort zone. I challenged myself and went for it. I started practicing at school and with family and i fell in love with it. Read more>>

Kory Harden | Creative Writer

Throughout my life, I realized that I never found a positive stress reliever besides the sports I played being my outlet of escape. I needed an outlet because I was in a period of life that felt bigger than I was. In this time of thinking about what could save me, I came up with the idea of Arkham Thoughts. Arkham Thoughts came about at first as my diary where I could express my feelings freely and feel instant relief, but then it quickly grew to become an outlet for people to vent freely. While scrolling through Arkham Thoughts, you’ll be able to find many blogs that’ll fit different moods of your life and be able to gain insight from these situations. Read more>>

Jennifer Torres | Art Educator | Owner of Cedars Art House

As an elementary art teacher, I began teaching art camps for kids during my summer breaks nearly 10 years ago. It was a way for me to work more intimately with smaller groups of kids which, in turn, allowed the campers to explore different art mediums and techniques that are often not possible with a classroom of 24+ students at a time. The most difficult part of my summer camp side-gig was finding a host location that was large enough, affordable, and could take the wear and tear of young kids and messy art supplies. Read more>>